St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1887-01-02
FROM SHOP AND MILL.
A Discussion Of the Meaning Of the New
Year to the Laboring
Man.
Powderly's Letter Against the Anarchists
Criticised by Minneapolis Cor
respondent.
The Fact Brought Out That Anarch-
lists do Not Believe in Voting
at All.
The fractional Fight in the knights
ofLabor Not Believed TO be
Serious.
To the Editor of the Globe.

TO the Editor of the Globe.
The terms ''old year, and new year,
are now in active circulation-every popular
journal feeling it necessary to morallZe,
grow witty, or in some way make use OF
them. The topics taken up in the way OF
drawing lessons of instruction show the
currents of discussion and feeling that have
become strong during the past year The
Labor question" has forced itself to the
frOnt--this is evident from the fact that it
comes i'll apparently as matter OF course.
One journal says. correctly:
The agitation of the labor question during
the past year has been one of the most nota-
bic features of the social condition
Tire agitation of the questions Of hours OF
labor. Of wages, the Importance given 10 the
organization OF labor, the attracting of gen
eral attention to these questions in the press,
the pulpit, the Legislative hall and the BUSH
business Office and the impetus given 10 ar
bitration, cooperation and pront-sharlng-al
things have contributed 10 placing the world
ar in advance of where it stood year ago
on the labor question.
This statement will be generally con-
CURED in as true. That it is so, one needs
but to examine the writings Tin books and
magazines OF the higher class Of our best
writers and most trusted leaders of thought.
The large number of able essays and we'll
filled volumes on this subject is one of the
most cheering signs of the times.
But, perhaps. the most hopeful indica-
ton of the day is the remarkable advance
towards unanmity in the principles adj
vanced and the measures of relief pro-
posed.
Let me specify as follows:
First-Almost every authority admits that
competition IS no longer to be absolute mon
arch in the world of business. The general
conclusion is that competitive warfare must
be limited, restrained and in some cases, eX-
tinguished 10y positive legal pains and penal
ties.
Second-Ihe old doctrine that conscience
morality, religion, humanity, regard fol-
the welfare OF the state had not and co I'D moi
have any hand or word in trade or producuor
is exploded. Prof. Sumner Is probably the
only iron sided devotee OF the doctrine thai
cents, dimes and dollars are the only things
to be consulted in the making of bargains
under the dominant law that Selhshness Is the
best guide in all such cases. and leads 10 the
highest welfare of the ''fittest to sulV.ve
while very hard on the weak, the poor anC
those least prepared for the stern struggles Of
life The leading writers of this day have
their CHAPTERS on the "ethics" OF polltica
science, and they hesitate not to denounct
the old notion that political economy is soul
less and dead to every consideration OF phi
lanthropy and human feeling.
Third-That justice is better than charity
for the working and poorer classes Is nov
fully understood. That charity for able
bodied, healthy people is temporary ant
very DOOR make-shift is now stated and en-
forced with much power.
Fourth-That competitive strife does no
distribute justly-that it impoyerishes thu
many Tor the bentit of the few is now hardly
denied by the writers of any school of prac
ticaI economy, That it is the active product
of vast and most uurelenting monopolies i
zoo mis- i
fact its day of responsibility is gone.
Fifth-To turn to the social warfare 1ndi
Gated by the knights of Labor and similar labo
organizations. it is gratifying to see that theI
recognize as never before, the value of practi
cal work, of cooperative trade and production
and a @ beginning to see the waste Of money
time ana happiness involved in strikes
violence and riotous demonstrations OF ever.
sort Arbitration, self-help and law are nov
the watch-words of hope to the great labo
societies. The organs of these Institution
publish weekly accounts of new cooperative
efforts, and, while some fail, the progress II
this direction is most gratifying.
Will 1887 go back on the record OF 1886
We think not The greatest of social revo
buttons is not to 90 backwards 1t is no
to be one of violence, social disruption o
anarchy. 1t will be, taken as whole
peaceful, gradual. Christian. The song Q
peace on Earth, Good viii to Men, is t
gain an increase of volume, melody an
harmony in this year of grace, 1887. IS
mote it be. Amen.'' PEACE.
MinneapOliS Jan. 1.